If you’ve noticed a few of your co-workers grumbling around the office, a bit less chipper than usual, chances are they’re snow-loving skiers or snowboarders. This year the conditions on the slopes have been less than optimal, and it’s taken it’s toll on the mood of the mountain-loving population in Rochester. Fortunately, however, February has not yet begun, and our friends at Bristol Mountain Winter Resort have been working hard to cover their 1,200 vertical feet of slopes with man-made snow from their high-powered snow guns.

I’m often surprised at how unfamiliar many Rochesterians are with Bristol. Touting the highest vertical from here to the Rockies (you have to go east to the Adirondacks to find higher closer), Bristol is a fully developed snow sports destination, offering slopes of all difficulty levels, two terrain parks complete with competition level features and an impressive half pipe (fresh cut this week!), and even a network of cross-country ski trails that Bristol blows snow on as well. Snow sports lovers in the midwest – particularly my extended family in Michigan – would kill to have such a great resource less than an hour drive away!

The awesome view of the valley from Bristol's terrain park back in 2007 - they have jumps that are twice as big now

Bristol Mountain has been growing lately, having installed their second high-speed lift, cut new trails, built a mid-slope waffle house, and expanded their lodge at the base of the mountain – all within the last few years. And in addition to their weekly ski races, they now are hosting freestyle and park jam competitions, including this weekend’s Scott Delforte Memorial Park Jam on Saturday from 10am-3pm. If you enjoyed watching the 2012 X Games on TV this past weekend, I guarantee you’ll have a blast experiencing a competition in person.

The point of this post is to encourage young Rochesterians to get out and experience one of Rochester’s unique resources. There are great rental packages available if you don’t have your own equipment, and the instructors there do a great job teaching lessons. Whether you enjoy being active on your weekend mornings, or would prefer an evening on the slopes under the lights, make it a point to check out Bristol this year. Despite all the warm weather we’ve had, Bristol Mountain is 90% covered with snow thanks to the snow guns, and anyone who knows Rochester understands that February is almost certain to bring at least one or two blizzards our way. So get a group of friends together and head south to Bristol Mountain!

The Rochester's Young Professionals blog is the place to look for the latest updates on the young professionals scene in Rochester, from career advice to networking events.

Contributors

Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

Toni Lynn Arena: I am a digital media specialist by day and a fitness loving, animal activist by night. When I'm not working on self-improvement inside and out, I work with other philanthropists to build awareness within the young professional community and help make a difference.

Andrea Raethka earned a bachelor's in History, Sociology and Women's Studies from the College of Brockport. She is a mother of three young children and is always up for exploring new places for kiddie play dates. She enjoys good food, local shopping and keeping up to date on news, politics and public school issues. Find Andrea on Twitter: @Mango1531.

Ashley Dewey is an internet marketing blogger from Victor who shares thoughts about life and pets.

Audrey Burns is a reader, writer and full-time nostalgist who writes about cultural and social issues in Rochester.

Cynthia Pacia shares thoughts about giving and living in the Rochester area.

Eastman Young Professionals share the latest happenings at George Eastman House.

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals share life and non-profit experiences, and their journey within Rochester’s changing landscape.

Jason Schwingle is a native of Rochester. He shares his thoughts and ideas on bringing young professionals back to Rochester and to downtown.

Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

Kristine Caronna, a young professional blogger from Greece, shares her thoughts and updates.

Leah Shearer is a young professional and two-time cancer survivor from Rochester. She shares her unique perspective on all things - the serious, the silly and everything in between.

Luticha Doucette is a student researcher, activist and humanist who sees the world from a seated position. She chronicles life as a disable person seeking a PhD. position in biophysics at Yale or John Hopkins universities, and beyond.

Maria Thomas is the chair of RocCity Coalition, who is passionate about education and the needs of city youth. She writes about various opportunities for young professionals to get involved in the community.

Olga Podzorov is an agent with Nothnagle Realtors. She is a community activist and passionate philanthropist who is committed to working with young professionals. She covers a variety of real estate issues.

Ruth Harper-Rhode, a St. Bonaventure University graduate, does public relations for a local nonprofit. She moved to Rochester from a small city in 2011 and lived on Park Ave before moving to Penfield, where she currently resides.

Terra Keller sends updates from the staff at Foodlink, a popular regional food bank.

Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.